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Can alternative therapies help you to conceive? From reflexology to acupuncture, find out whether complementary therapies have the power to boost your fertility and bring you that positive pregnancy test.

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Mums reveal what c-sections are really like

The idea of birth can be scary, even if you’ve been through it all before. But if you know you’re likely to be having a caesarean – or you’re worried about an emergency c-section – it can add to the worry about labour.

Mums in one of the BabyCentre birth clubs have been sharing their own experiences, and many who have had both a natural labour and a c-section say that actually preferred the latter:

"I've had both emergency and elective c-section. Both were painless during surgery.

"Afterwards I was sore, but it's a soreness you deal with - I wasn't in excruciating pain.

"I'm having another c-section and cannot wait. One thing I'm not looking forward to is missing my other kids while recovering in hospital."

"I had an emergency section with my first and didn't feel a thing during the operation.

"It's sore afterwards and I would seriously warn people not to make you laugh too much for a while, but everyday gets a little bit easier and you do have pain medicine which obviously you reduce as you go.

"I didn't drive for six weeks, but my sister who has three kids was driving after two, she phoned her insurance company and told them she had a section but felt fit to drive, so they gave her the OK."

"Mine was one of the more urgent ones and I can honestly say mine was fine! I asked the midwife if I'd feel it when they started cutting, and she told me baby was already out! I didn't feel a thing!

"Then they called my other half over to cut cord and he got cuddles while I was stitched back up and he carried her down to aftercare and she was right near my face the whole time!"

"I had a wonderful anaesthetist who talked me through everything as they were doing it so I never felt scared.

"Once my daughter was out they stitched me and cleaned me up while my husband had cuddles.

"In recovery I had skin-to-skin with her until they were happy for me to go on the ward.

"I stayed in for 4 days, the first morning home the midwife came to see us and removed my stitches. I never really had any pain during recovery, just a bit of discomfort, but I made sure I kept on top of my painkillers. I was pottering around and had a gentle walk to the shops with my baby in a sling on day 10."

"I had an emergency c-section with my son, and I was terrified going in, but didn't feel a thing other than my tummy being wobbled around a bit. I felt pretty well afterwards too. My hospital sent me home with a giant bag full of pain killers. It really wasn't as bad as I thought."

"For me it was a great experience. I recovered relatively quickly. It was painful, but I didn't mind because it hurt most when I laughed, and I felt lucky to be so happy.

"I could drive before six weeks, and kept active (although avoided lifting) which I think helped. I was exhausted, but that may have been something to do with a newborn baby and my blood pressure!"

"I have had both natural labour and a planned section and I much preferred my section!

"I was an absolute wreck on day, but luckily a good friend had recommended asking for gas and air when I was on table. It really helped me to relax and honestly the whole thing didn't take that long and I had twins!

"My recovery was much better than my natural labour. Yes uncomfortable for day or two, but not as painful as an episiotomy and general birthing."

"I had an emergency section and have to say all I felt was relief after they put me under anaesthetic. I didn't feel any of the cutting or taking the baby out, but did feel them 'putting me back together so to speak - which was a bit uncomfortable, but they told me to just have more painkillers.

"It was weird afterwards being numb from the waist down, but I was still able to do things. Considering it was a stressful labour the section was the best part and I was so happy to have it all over."

"I had an emergency c-section with my first, and I'm afraid it wasn't a pleasant experience for me, but everyone is different.

"I lost a lot of blood and had quite a bit of pain throughout the procedure. Recovery was generally OK."

"I've only had planned c-sections. You get a spinal injection which numbs you roughly from the breast down, so when they do cut you, you don't feel a thing. You may feel them tugging which is normal.

"When baby is out it takes some time to stitch you up, but baby is with you or your other half. A planned section is a relatively calm environment."

"I had a grade 1 emergency section, so I had no choice but to have a general anaesthetic. I was gutted and felt I'd missed out on the birth experience completely. However the recovery from the section was great, I don't remember being in any pain at all, so I'm opting for a section this time as I want to make sure I witness the birth."

"I had an emergency c-section with my two year old after a failed induction and it wasn't bad at all.

"After they numbed me, they had an ice pack which they placed on my face to show it was cold then put it down my body to see what I could feel. I couldn't feel anything past my neck which really reassured me.

"I didn't feel the pulling sensation I've heard you can feel, and the next thing I knew my little girl was passed over to us and I was getting stitched up.

"The next day when the painkillers were wearing off I was sore, standing up straight hurt a bit for a couple of days and sitting up in bed. I felt much better after a week and was able to drive after 2 weeks (after checking that was OK with my insurance company)."

"It's wonderful. It's a longer recovery and a bit more risks for the mum, but it's much more comfortable than vaginal delivery in my opinion."

Pregnant and thinking about labour - join your birth club and ask other mums-to-be or mums who have already been there.

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